2003 fireblade potential purchase - what to look out for?
Discussion
I’m viewing a 2003 954 ‘blade this weekend. It’s a track only bike (no papers) with 8k (kms) on the clock and wears 2004 race fairings. It hasn’t been used for 4 years but the owner put fresh oil and filters on this week and sent me a clip of it starting and idling, it seems to be running just fine.
It needs new tyres and a chain and is a little scruffy, but the idea of a cheap (under a grand) and cheerful bike I don’t mind dropping is the whole appeal. Plan would be to do the super bike school at my local track and then as many td’s as I can throughout the winter.
However I don’t want a lemon, and I don’t want to get caught in an upgrade path as is the norm with any of my projects. Hence just wondered what the main things are to look at in order to avoid this. I read there was a recall for head bearings for example, how can I tell whether this has been carried out?
Additionally, what would you say are td essentials on this bike? Trying not to get ahead of myself but it has a power commander 3 fitted so I’d maybe put on a healtech quick shift on, do a fork and shock service, fit braided lines and sintered pads and just give it a thorough going over.
It needs new tyres and a chain and is a little scruffy, but the idea of a cheap (under a grand) and cheerful bike I don’t mind dropping is the whole appeal. Plan would be to do the super bike school at my local track and then as many td’s as I can throughout the winter.
However I don’t want a lemon, and I don’t want to get caught in an upgrade path as is the norm with any of my projects. Hence just wondered what the main things are to look at in order to avoid this. I read there was a recall for head bearings for example, how can I tell whether this has been carried out?
Additionally, what would you say are td essentials on this bike? Trying not to get ahead of myself but it has a power commander 3 fitted so I’d maybe put on a healtech quick shift on, do a fork and shock service, fit braided lines and sintered pads and just give it a thorough going over.
I think the head bearing recall was going from ball shaped bearings to tapers (or the other way) - completely irrelevant on a sub £1k track bike 18 years later.
I’d be tempted to fit some fresh scrubs, check front pads & flush through front brakes with some new DoT4 and do a nearby trackday and see what falls off other than you.
Currently you don’t need a quickshifter or new braided lines - my 98 bike is still on its oe rubber lines.
I’d be tempted to fit some fresh scrubs, check front pads & flush through front brakes with some new DoT4 and do a nearby trackday and see what falls off other than you.
Currently you don’t need a quickshifter or new braided lines - my 98 bike is still on its oe rubber lines.
I’m sure I’ll fall off, that’s why a cheapie appeals 
I have the quick shift in my parts drawer is why I’d fit it, no reason other than that. The slip on looks horrible and it has some questionable looking bling on it but that will all stay, no plans to spend money if I don’t have to, beyond some crash bungs that is.
I hear you on the age and price, but I just want to avoid a lemon or spending a lot of money getting it to the point i can do the TD season without major failures.
I have the quick shift in my parts drawer is why I’d fit it, no reason other than that. The slip on looks horrible and it has some questionable looking bling on it but that will all stay, no plans to spend money if I don’t have to, beyond some crash bungs that is.
I hear you on the age and price, but I just want to avoid a lemon or spending a lot of money getting it to the point i can do the TD season without major failures.
Edited by shirt on Friday 26th August 12:40
I’ve seen the bike today and agreed to buy it. It needs a lot of love but not much in the way of parts spend. Aside from the pc3 it comes with a dynojet quickshift, gpr rotary steering damper, braided lines, and a brand new yoshi slip on. Couldn’t say no to that, so a few weekends elbow grease ahead should see it ready to go.
Have you checked it out ref frame/engine no's ?
I only say this as there is a lot of stolen stuff turned in to track day slags, I heard of one track day where the Police were checking every bike on arrival, quite a few vans decided to turn around rather than join the queue.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I only say this as there is a lot of stolen stuff turned in to track day slags, I heard of one track day where the Police were checking every bike on arrival, quite a few vans decided to turn around rather than join the queue.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ll check the electrics for sure, as it doesn’t like to start (but is fine once it fires).
I’m not in the uk. I know the current seller and previous owner which is the past 6yrs of history, but who knows whether it was a write off or something more dodgy to become a track bike. Stolen imports are very very rare and this is too common to be one. I reckon it’s either been tracked since new (pretty common here as most TDers /racers don’t ride on the road) or had a smash at some point, the fact it’s wearing later model fairings supporting that.
I’m not in the uk. I know the current seller and previous owner which is the past 6yrs of history, but who knows whether it was a write off or something more dodgy to become a track bike. Stolen imports are very very rare and this is too common to be one. I reckon it’s either been tracked since new (pretty common here as most TDers /racers don’t ride on the road) or had a smash at some point, the fact it’s wearing later model fairings supporting that.
shirt said:
I’ll check the electrics for sure, as it doesn’t like to start (but is fine once it fires).
I’m not in the uk. I know the current seller and previous owner which is the past 6yrs of history, but who knows whether it was a write off or something more dodgy to become a track bike. Stolen imports are very very rare and this is too common to be one. I reckon it’s either been tracked since new (pretty common here as most TDers /racers don’t ride on the road) or had a smash at some point, the fact it’s wearing later model fairings supporting that.
Ahh ok,I’m not in the uk. I know the current seller and previous owner which is the past 6yrs of history, but who knows whether it was a write off or something more dodgy to become a track bike. Stolen imports are very very rare and this is too common to be one. I reckon it’s either been tracked since new (pretty common here as most TDers /racers don’t ride on the road) or had a smash at some point, the fact it’s wearing later model fairings supporting that.
yes I see you are abroad, scrub my post then I thought you were UK based.
Spent the last 2 nights stripping it down. Impressed in the main, doesn’t look like it’ll cost me much to do a full refurb, more time and effort than anything.
Swingarm and all frames are now fully stripped for vapour blasting and coating. The only thing I’ve found on the bike which concerns me is a ripple on the inside of the swinger. Photos don’t show it well, but it’s similar to this I’ve found on one for sale on eBay
It’s more something you can feel, a ripple in the wall. No evidence of repair. Seems an odd place for impact damage, any ideas as to what caused it and does it need replacing? Dimensionally everything seems square and in order
Swingarm and all frames are now fully stripped for vapour blasting and coating. The only thing I’ve found on the bike which concerns me is a ripple on the inside of the swinger. Photos don’t show it well, but it’s similar to this I’ve found on one for sale on eBay
It’s more something you can feel, a ripple in the wall. No evidence of repair. Seems an odd place for impact damage, any ideas as to what caused it and does it need replacing? Dimensionally everything seems square and in order
my guess is they're produced when forming the swingarm - it being a straight section of aluminium alloy that has to be bent into shape. I always see if I can find another example with good pictures on ebay (or wherever) to check if I'm not sure
eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144642505254?hash=item2...
eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144642505254?hash=item2...
leighz said:
my guess is they're produced when forming the swingarm - it being a straight section of aluminium alloy that has to be bent into shape. I always see if I can find another example with good pictures on ebay (or wherever) to check if I'm not sure
eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144642505254?hash=item2...
Yep. Can see it clear as day on the second pic. eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144642505254?hash=item2...
Nothing to worry about shirt.
Mr_Megalomaniac said:
I'd be tempted to check the electrics, specifically charging and regulator / rectifier.
I believe it's the same series of components used in the earlier CBF1000 and it's a known issue with those.
2002/3 954 FireBlade isn't related to the CBF1000. The 954 was the biggest possible overbore on the original 892cc Blade engine. The CBF used a motor derived from the 999cc 2004 Fireblade, and those definitely had generator issues.I believe it's the same series of components used in the earlier CBF1000 and it's a known issue with those.
I had the CBF and got Honda to pay for it just inside the 7 year limit - otherwise it was a £500 part, never mind fitting. CBF cut out on me on a trackday going down the back straight at Snetterton, which is just what you want.
Good luck OP, also considering a 954 Blade so look forward to seeing how you get on.
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